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Sunday, December 11, 2011

how to make a stick reindeer...

Isn't this the cutest little reindeer ?? I think it's a perfect little decoration for Christmas time...here's how you can make one too...

First, go for a walk to the park and collect a few sticks. The biggest stick I collected was about 1-1.5cm in diameter for the body of the reindeer. The smallest was the thin end of the stick where it branches out a little - those bits are your antlers.

The only equipment you'll need is something sharp to cut your sticks, and a hot glue gun.

Next step is to cut your sticks. I always start with the body piece first, then cut the other pieces with sizes relative to the body - it's easier than you think ! The body piece for this reindeer is about 1cm in diameter and about 3 cm long. You can make your reindeer any size you want.

Lay the pieces out like the above picture as you go ...so you will need a body, 4 legs, a head, neck, tail and 2 antlers. Notice the diagonal cut on the front of the head - to accentuate the nose.

Ok, let's go...! Put 2 blobs of hot glue on the bottom of the body piece...

and attach 2 legs.

Bare in mind that although the glue will set quite quickly, if you realize you've stuck something in the wrong place, you can easily peel the glue off and re-do it.

Do the same to attach the other 2 legs.

Then stand up your reindeer to check that the legs are even. If not, peel off the 'dicky' leg and reset it!

That's the hardest part - getting the legs even, but it's really not hard at all !

Now glue on the head and neck. Make sure the neck is standing straight up - otherwise your reindeer might over balance when you glue the head on.

Keep the long end of the nose on the top side...

Finally add the antlers and the tail and voila! one cute little reindeer!!

Check back tomorrow for a post on how to make a sled for your reindeer, and a neat gift idea.